#CANOE – An old derelict cottage on Trannish Island has been given a new lease of life, recently refurbished and launched as bothy accommodation for canoeists on the popular Lough Erne Canoe Trail in County Fermanagh.
Managed by the Share Discovery Village in Lisnaskea, this new bothy has been made possible with investment from the South West Action for Rural Development under the Rural Development Programme, Share Discovery Village and Fermanagh District Council and will cater for up to twelve canoeists with bunkhouse style sleeping space, a large living area and wood burning stove. A solar powered shower block and self composting toilet block has also been built adjacent to the refurbished cottage, providing a fantastic resource for canoeists and a wonderful addition to Fermanagh's tourism draw.
Rory Martin, Marketing Officer at Share Discovery Village, explains, "It is fantastic to see such a great facility specifically catering for canoeists here in Fermanagh. Our waterways are ideal for visiting paddlers and we are delighted to now be able to offer unique bothy accommodation that successfully compliments our natural environment."
Rory continued, "The bothy will be perfect for a wide range of canoeists both experienced and those heading out on their first paddle with a short introductory session from our instructors here at Share. Families and groups of friends will be able to get back to nature with canoe clubs and youth groups able to book exclusive use of the bothy and neighbouring campsite for larger group trips."
Developed by the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN), the Lough Erne Canoe Trail is no stranger to winning innovation accolades and indeed was the first Northern Irish project to be recognised by the British Urban Regeneration Waterways Renaissance Awards in 2008.
Chris Scott, CAAN's Activity Tourism Manager explains, "Of the five official inland canoe trails in Northern Ireland, Lough Erne would be the most popular by quite some distance. With sheltered bays, narrow channels and an abundance of islands, this 50 km trail is perfect for all levels of canoeists visiting the Fermanagh Lakelands."
Chris Scott continued, "Now with comfortable accommodation and living space on a deserted island, this bothy project is set to become the feather in Lough Erne's cap and exactly what canoeists visiting this quiet corner of Northern Ireland are looking for."
With bothy accommodation on Salt Island remaining popular amongst canoeists on Strangford Lough and an old fisheries cottage currently being converted in Port Moon Bay on the Causeway Coast in County Antrim, Northern Ireland is continuing to set the standard for high quality canoeing facilities throughout Europe.
